Maj Sinha murder: HC starts hearing on death reference, appeals
Major Sinha was shot dead by police at the Shamlapur check post in Teknaf on the night of 31 July 2020, as he was returning after shooting videos for his YouTube channel in the village of Marishbunia
The High Court today (23 April) started hearing the death reference given by a lower court as well as appeals against the sentences in connection with Major (retd) Sinha Md Rashed Khan murder in Cox's Bazar in 2020.
The HC panel of Justice Md Mostafizur Rahman and Justice Md Sagir Hossain began the hearing after the chief justice forwarded the case.
On 31 January 2022, the court of Cox's Bazar District and Sessions Judge Mohammad Ismail sentenced two accused to death and six others to life in jail in the case.
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The death-row convicts are – sacked officer-in-charge (OC) of Teknaf police station Pradip Kumar Das and sacked inspector of the Shamlapur police camp, Liakat Ali.
The life-term convicts are Sub-Inspector Nanda Dulal Rakshit, constables Sagar Deb and Rubel Sharma, and three police sources Nurul Amin, Nizam Uddin and Ayaz Uddin.
The lower court also then acquitted seven accused, including a sub-inspector and two constables of APBn and four constables of police in the case.
However, as the Cox's Bazar court sent verdict papers to the High Court in 2022, the state counsel did not file any plea, while two appeals were filed for the two death-row convicts.
Sinha was allegedly killed in police firing at Shamlapur checkpost in Tenaf's Baharchhara on Cox's Bazar Marine Drive Road on 31 July 2020.
On 5 August that year, his sister Sharmin Shahriar Ferdous filed a case at a district court naming the then in-charge of Baharchhara police camp, inspector Liakat Ali, as the main accused.
Then OC of Teknaf police station Pradip Kumar Das and some other policemen were also made accused.
On 6 August, seven accused policemen surrendered before the court.
The case was documented at Teknaf police station and the RAB was tasked with its investigation by the court.
On 13 December 2020, RAB-13 Cox's Bazar Battalion filed a charge-sheet against 15 individuals in the case.
In addition, a five-member committee was formed from the home ministry to investigate the sensational murder. However, the findings of the submission have remained undisclosed.
Also, in the face of widespread criticism, more than 1,500 police personnel, including then superintendent of Cox's Bazar police, were also transferred from the beach district after the incident, reported our correspondent.
